Symphytum 'Rubrum'

RHS Plant Profile

comfrey 'Rubrum'

Herbaceous Perennial

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Vigorous, clump-forming perennial to 60cm tall, with upright bristly stems and dark green leaves to 5cm long. Bears panicle-like clusters of tubular, bright crimson-red flowers from late spring to summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Clay Chalk

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral or Acid or Alkaline

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Boraginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten repeatedly. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten repeatedly - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Symphytum are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials, sometimes invasive, with large leaves and nodding clusters of tubular flowers
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in sun or partial shade in moist, moderately fertile soil. Spreading in habit but should be less of a nuisance than some other very vigorous Symphytum species

Propagation

Propagate by division or root cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Generally not required but old or fading foliage can be trimmed

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free